Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-16
The Artesian-Wells Problem.

IS obliging and courteous as he is
leaned, Professor WINSTON favors us,
in compliance with request made by
us last week, with the following very
interesting letter. 1t might we'll be
styled professional or rather profess
sor's letter. 1t takes nothing for grant
ed, and indicates purpose to answer
no questions not justified by facts
We trust that our West Point CORE
spondent will be able to furnish all the
information which Professor WINSTON
asks for.
We ore gratified to learn that Pro-
fessor WESTON holds that "the accept
ed explanations of the Artesian wells
need to be revised, enlarged, eluci-
dated, and perhaps modified considera-
bly, to meet our present knowledge. y
We would leave out the word "per-
haps."
FARMv1LLr, VA, August IS, 1887.
To tho Editor of the Dispatch
IN your issue of to-day, which is lit
tie late in reaching me here, you courte-
ously ask me to answer the question of
correspondent in relation to the Ar
tesian wells at West Point, Va.
l appreciate the compliment i'm
piled, and therefore regret the more
the necessarily unsatisfactory character
of the answer | must make.
The question as stated is, Why do
these wells "how with at least % per
cent. moro force on full flood tide
than they DO on low ebb y?
First, then, if your correspondent
will excuse me for little scientific
skepticism," which is popularity sup
posed to mean a set purpose not to be-
lieve anything or to accept any state
mept if one can help it, | would like
before venturing any explanation of
| the fact to have a full assurance that
the fact to be explained is fact. 1t is
well known, and every day verifies the
remark, that unframed observers (to
which class, however &C" may not be-
long, do constantly reach hasty generali-
cations That rigid Investigations do not
sustain. Nwas once asked why cats eyes
change as the moon chaDges.) But,
again, if the general fact should prove
TO he as stated ! would like a rather
more definite and exact setting forth OF
it. What does "on full flood tide y
mean exactly Does the increased
flow synchronize precisely with the
tide beginning at just the same hour,
reaching its maximum at the same
hour. &c, &c. ? Or is there an interval
between the two? If the latter be true,
is the interval regular or irregular? IL
regular, what is the exact period? IL
irregular, what are the apparent limits
of variation ?
Again: Do any other causes, such as
rainfall or high water due to winds,
seem to affect the flow?
And then, lastly, before expressing
an opinion, 1 would like to know, as
do not at this moment, whether similar
accordances between the tides and the
flow Of wells have been observed else
where, in places somewhat similarly
situated, say at Charleston, 5. q
Also. whether any similar periodic va
riations occur in wells not on the coast
as at Cincinnati and Louisville. You
take the occasion to express laten
dissstisfaction-or unsatisfaction-witl
the received theory of the tides. While
j can scarcely join you in this, cal
saw that / have felt for some time tina
the accepted explanations OF the othe
factor in the case-viz., the Artesial
wells-need to be revised, enlarged
elucidated. and perhaps modified con
siderably to meet our present know
ledge. And / should rejoice with yo
if the case before us should be instru
mental in throwing needed light on tn
. whole question as to these wells
: question Of large and growing i'm
+ porsance.
, may be able at some future time
pursue the matter further.
Respectfully,
CHARLES III. WINSTON.